1776 – “Common Sense” pamphlet by Thomas Paine published, advocating American independence.
1870 – John D. Rockefeller incorporates Standard Oil.
1901 – Oil discovered at Spindletop, Beaumont, marking the start of the Texas oil boom (gusher age)
1911 – 1st photo in US taken from an airplane, San Diego.
1923 – Last US troops leave Rhineland (Germany).
1932 – “Mickey Mouse” & “Silly Symphony” comics syndicated.
1944 – 1st mobile electric power plant delivered in Philadelphia.
1949 – RCA introduces 45 RPM record.
1952 – “The Greatest Show on Earth”, directed and produced by Cecil B. DeMille, starring James Stewart and Charlton Heston, premieres in New York (Best Picture 1953)
1956 – Elvis Presley records single “Heartbreak Hotel”
1958 – Jerry Lee Lewis’ “Great Balls of Fire” reaches #1 on the UK pop charts.
1964 – US version of “That Was the Week That Was” premieres.
1967 – Edward W. Brooke (Sen-R-Mass), takes his seat as the 1st popularly elected African American to the US Senate.
1973 – For the first time graduates studying from home with “The Open University” receive their degrees.
1982 – NFC Championship, Candlestick Park, San Francisco: San Francisco 49ers beat Dallas Cowboys, 28-27; “The Catch” – iconic moment in NFL history – Dwight Clark makes fingertip catch for a TD fro Joe Montana with 58 seconds remaining; SF goes on to win Super Bowl.
1984 – Clara Peller 1st ask, “Where’s the Beef?” in commercial for Wendy’s hamburger chain.
1990 – NCAA approves random drug testing for college football players.
1997 – Dow Corning provides $295 billion to settle breast implant suits.
2003 – NBA announces Charlotte, NC is awarded and NBA expansion franchise to be known as the Charlotte Bobcats and start play in 2004-05; eventually changed to the Charlotte Hornets for the 2014-15 season.
2018 – Jeff Bezos becomes the second man worth over $100 billion as his wealth hits $106 billion due to a rise in Amazon’s share price.
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